This time, Chen Fan was truly angry. He was angry at Erza for throwing her life away so recklessly, for not valuing herself, and for not calling him when she needed help. He was angry that after all these years, he still hadn't fully opened her heart, and that he still didn't rank as high as Jellal in her mind.
But he wouldn't vent his fury on Erza. His mother had taught him that a man must have backbone; he would never take his anger out on a woman. Thus, Jellal became the sole target for his rage.
He gently set Erza down and stood up. Ignoring her worried gaze, he turned to face Jellal.
Jellal struggled to his feet, spitting out a mouthful of blood. "Forgive me? What right do you have to say that? You forced my hand! From the moment I entered the Council, you constantly used my status to threaten me! All these years of progress were achieved through my own hard work! What right do you have to take it all away? Ah!" Jellal screamed at Chen Fan, sounding half-mad.
Chen Fan didn't offer a single word in reply. He stomped his foot and shot forward like a cannonball. Seeing him charge, Jellal shouted, "Meteor!" Golden magic energy enveloped his body as he took to the sky.
Chen Fan stomped again, a loud boom echoing as he chased Jellal into the air.
"Grand Chariot!" Jellal clasped his hands together. Seven magic circles formed the shape of the Big Dipper, and seven golden beams of light surged toward Chen Fan.
Boom!
The magic was simply deflected, crashing into the Lacrima and causing a small-scale collapse.
Chen Fan continued his charge, throwing a punch aimed straight at Jellal's face. Jellal managed to flicker away, dodging the strike.
"Tch!" Chen Fan hissed under his breath. Four cyclones materialized behind him, propelling him toward Jellal at even higher speeds, yet he still couldn't quite catch the man. Chen Fan landed back on the ground.
"Haha! What's wrong? Can't keep up with my speed?"
"No," Chen Fan said, looking up at him. "There's just a simpler way."
He stomped his foot, and the Lacrima beneath him shattered. He waved his hand over the floating shards. Ripples distorted the air around them.
Boom!
The shards shot toward Jellal like bullets. They slammed into him, and with a heavy thud, Jellal crashed to the ground. He lay there, bleeding profusely, looking utterly pathetic.
Chen Fan pulled a coin from his pocket and aimed it at Jellal. Suddenly, Jellal screamed, "Erza!"
Erza finally snapped out of her daze. She quickly shouted, "Stop, Chen Fan!"
She walked over to Chen Fan's side with difficulty and looked down at Jellal. "What else do you have to say?"
"My body was possessed by the ghost of Zeref. It wouldn't listen to my control at all... I was just a puppet to facilitate Zeref's resurrection. I couldn't save myself, and none of my comrades could save me. Paradise never existed. It was over before it even began."
Chen Fan was slightly confused. In the anime, it seemed like Jellal had saved Erza in the end, but from Jellal's performance just now, Chen Fan hadn't seen a single hint of him holding back.
Suddenly, a violent tremor shook the ground. Jellal, who had been dejected a moment ago, began to laugh hysterically.
He screamed at Chen Fan and Erza, "Haha! You can both go to hell with me! When a Lacrima this massive explodes, it can easily wipe out an entire country! You will all die! We're all dying together! Haha!" He looked completely insane.
Chen Fan looked at him with pity. Erza had also abandoned her last shred of hope. She turned to Chen Fan with a gentle smile and said softly, "I'm sorry. I might have dragged you into this. Originally, I wanted to..."
Erza wanted to continue, but Chen Fan waved his hand, cutting her off with a grin. "Now, now, Little Sha, how can you say that? Think about our relationship."
Erza rolled her eyes at him. "Look at the time! Can't you be serious for once?"
"Then just call my name. Say you're afraid, and I'll save you."
"Fine, I'll say it then."
"Go on."
"Chen Fan, I'm so scared! Quick, come save me!" Erza laughed as she shouted at the top of her lungs. Looking at the man who was staying with her until the very end, happy tears began to fall.
Chen Fan reached out and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "How can my Little Sha cry? My Little Sha is the Fairy Queen, after all."
Before Erza could scream in surprise, Chen Fan scooped her up. With a heavy stomp, they took flight toward the direction where Natsu Dragneel and the others had left.
Two massive tornadoes erupted beneath Chen Fan's feet. With a thunderous sonic boom, their speed skyrocketed. Before long, he spotted Natsu and Gray Fullbuster on a boat. They saw him too and began to shout.
Chen Fan landed on the deck. Just as they arrived...
BOOM!!
A colossal explosion roared behind them. The Tower of Heaven had completely detonated. A massive storm surge and towering waves rolled toward their location.
Chen Fan set Erza down and turned back, extending both hands. Numbers flashed rapidly across his glasses.
A series of hums sounded as he activated his psychic powers. The storm and the waves were forced to change direction, and the boat began to travel even faster. Finally, the aftershocks of the storm faded. Chen Fan's legs buckled, and he collapsed into a faint right there on the deck.
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